Hand brake signal switch



Dec. 22, l942. A. w. MUTH HAND BRAKE SIGNAL SWITCH Filed Aug. 27, 1940 /7 jzj'. 3.

Inventor /f`760 l/L/ Ma #7 Patented Dec. 22, 1942 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE HAND BRAKE SIGNAL SWITCH Alfred W. Muth, Milwaukee, Wis.

Application August 27, 1940, Serial No. 354,423

1 Claim. (Cl. 20D-59) This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in hand brake signal switches and more particularly to a signal or indicator for indicating when the emergency brake is applied at the same time the ignition switch is in on position, thus warning the driver against possibly driving his automobile with the emergency .brake applied.

'I'he principal object of the present invention is to provide an indicator of the character stated which is entirely automatic in operation.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an indicator of the character stated which will give a definite clearly observable warning to the driver.

. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the :following specification.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view with parts shown in elevation of an ordinary automobile instrument board with the indicator mounted thereon.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the contactor.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view disclosing the electrical connection between the electrical devices involved.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 6 represents the usual automobile body cowl wall, while numeral 1 denotes the usual instrument board.

The lower edge of the instrument board l is flanged in the usual manner as at 3 and to accommodate the indicator generally referred to by numeral 9, the instrument board 1 is stamped out to accommodate a lamp box I3.

The peripheral portion of the box I3 has ears I4 apertured to accommodate bolts I5 which also pass through the instrument board 'I for thus positively securing the indicator in place on the instrument board.

A lamp I'I is suitably mounted in the lamp box I3.

The brake control generally referred to by numeral I8 may be of the type such as is mounted behind the instrument board "I, the same consisting of a lever I9 pivotally secured at its upper end as at 20 to the rear end of a plate 2I which is secured by suitable means to the rear side of T the instrument board 1 and `also by suitable means 22 to the strut 23 which extends to the cowl Wall 9.

The lower edge portion of the plate 2i is cut out to define a curved portion with the pivot point 23 as its center and this curved portion which is denoted by numeral 24 is formed to provide ratchet teeth 25. A rockable pawl 26 mounted on the lever I3 is ridable against the teeth and is controlled by a connecting rod 21 which extends from the pawl 26 to one end of the pivotal hand grip 28 on the handle 29 of the lever I3. A connecting rod 30 extends to connect through associated means with the vehicle brakes.

A switch for controlling the indicator 9 is generally referred to by numeral 3l and consists of the elongated barrel 32 of insulation having a closed end 33 through which the rod 34 is slidable. One end of this rod 34 has an eye 35 which is connected by a tension spring 36 to a rod 3l which, in turn, is connected to an intermediate portion of the lever i3.

The other end of the rod 34 has an eye 33 which abuts one side of the body or slide 39, this slide having a rim 43 of current conductive material adapted to bridge the contact members lI-H.

The other end portion of the barrel 32 has a circumferential external flange 42 which abuts the rear side of the cowl wall 6. 'I'his end of the barrel is also externally threaded to accommodate a nut 43 which can be tightened against the forward side of the wall 6 to iirxnly hold the barrel 32 in a substantially horizontal position. This end of the barrel 32 also has a cross member 44 between which and the eye 38 is a tension spring 45.

Thus it can be seen, that when the lever I9 is swung forwardly to brake-applied position, the slide 39 will be pulled toward the contacts II-EI and bridge the contacts 4I-4I, so that current will pass from a battery d6, provided the ignition switch 4l is on and from there through the contacts i-i and rim-43 by way of the conductor 48 to the lamp Il. Thus the indicator 3 will be energized as long as the ignition switch 4l is on and the emergency brake is applied. However, when the driver observes the warning indicator S, upon releasement of the brake lever I3, the spring 45 will pull the slide 39 back to a position spaced from the contacts lll-4I, thus deenergizing the indicator 9. V

While the foregoing speciilcation sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

end of the shell being open, said shell from thev stop formation to said open end being threaded and adapted to be disposed through the opening ing side of the wall, a piston contacter movable in the shell and having a rim of conductive material, a pair of radial contacts extending through said shell and adapted to be bridged -by the rim, an elongated member extending through the other endof the shell slidably and through the contactar, a cross member in the open end of the shell, an eye on the contactar end oi the member and a tension spring between the cross in the wall and a nut on the open end portion 10 member and the-eye.

of the shell adapted to be i'ed against the remain- ALFREDWMU'IH 

